Neroli – Essential Oil
Neroli (Citrus bigaradia)
Reported to be aphrodisiac (it smells divine!), neroli also works on the emotions and reduces anxiety. Used throughout the perfume industry, it is one of the main constituents of eau de cologne. It takes its name from the 17th century princess of Nerola in Italy – Anne Marie Orsini, duchess of Bracciano – who popularised the fragrance.
The Seville or bitter orange tree produces three essential oils: Neroli and orange blossom, which are extracted from blossoms; and petitgrain, which is extracted from leaves and twigs.
Neroli oil is particularly useful in the treatment of emotional upsets and disorders. Because it calms the nerves, it is a good oil to use when you are taking exams, visiting the dentist, going for a job interview, and other potentially stressful situations. It is much favoured by therapist, but it is expensive.
Uses include:
Insomnia
Pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS) / pre-menstrual tension (PMT)
Panic attacks
Inflammatory Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Shock
Dry skin / broken veins
Stretch marks
Diarrhoea
Cautions
Do not use on babies between 0-12 months.
Insomnia
Sedative effect, this is a good oil to use especially if the insomnia is due to anxiety.
Directions for use
Bath: Add up to 5 drops of pure essential oil to a bath of water and lie back and relax.
Handkerchief: Put a couple of drops of pure essential oil onto a tissue or handkerchief and inhale as and when required.
Massage: Mix 20 ml of carrier oil (sweet almond, grapeseed) to 10 drops of pure essential oil.
Oil burners: Sprinkle up to 5 drops of pure essential oil onto water and light the burner.
Inhalation: Boil 1 litre of water and pour into a bowl, add up to 10 drops of pure essential oil, place a towel over your head and allow steam to rise and inhale.
Pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS) / Pre-menstrual tension (PMT)
Helps balance out moods and de-stresses.
Directions for use
Bath: Add up to 5 drops of pure essential oil to a bath of water and lie back and relax.
Handkerchief: Put a couple of drops of pure essential oil onto a tissue or handkerchief and inhale as and when required.
Massage: Mix 20 ml of carrier oil (sweet almond, grapeseed) to 10 drops of pure essential oil.
Oil burners: Sprinkle up to 5 drops of pure essential oil onto water and light the burner.
Inhalation: Boil 1 litre of water and pour into a bowl, add up to 10 drops of pure essential oil, place a towel over your head and allow steam to rise and inhale.
Panic attacks
Has a calming effect.
Directions for use
Bath: Add up to 5 drops of pure essential oil to a bath of water and lie back and relax.
Handkerchief: Put a couple of drops of pure essential oil onto a tissue or handkerchief and inhale as and when required.
Massage: Mix 20 ml of carrier oil (sweet almond, grapeseed) to 10 drops of pure essential oil.
Oil burners: Sprinkle up to 5 drops of pure essential oil onto water and light the burner.
Inhalation: Boil 1 litre of water and pour into a bowl, add up to 10 drops of pure essential oil, place a towel over your head and allow steam to rise and inhale.
Inflammatory Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Deals well with this condition as it is often stress related; the oil is also antispasmodic.
Directions for use
Bath: Add up to 5 drops of pure essential oil to a bath of water and lie back and relax.
Massage: Mix 20 ml of carrier oil (sweet almond, grapeseed) to 10 drops of pure essential oil and massage into abdominal area.
Shock
Works on an emotional level.
Directions for use
Bath: Add up to 5 drops of pure essential oil to a bath of water and lie back and relax.
Massage: Mix 20 ml of carrier oil (sweet almond, grapeseed) to 10 drops of pure essential oil and massage into abdominal area.
Handkerchief: Put a couple of drops of pure essential oil onto a tissue or handkerchief and inhale as and when required.
Oil burners: Sprinkle up to 5 drops of pure essential oil onto water and light the burner.
Dry skin / broken veins
Stimulates healthy cell growth and is great for sensitive skin.
Directions for use
Compress: Add 1-2 drops of pure essential oil to 1 litre of warm water. Lay sterile material on the surface of the water thus attracting a film of oil onto the cloth. Apply the material onto the affected area and leave for 10 minutes. Repeat daily.
Facial Massage: Mix 1 drop of pure essential oil to 2 teaspoons of almond or grape seed oil, or any other carrier oil, and rub into face.
Inhalation: Boil 1 litre of water and pour into a bowl, add up to 10 drops of pure essential oil, place a towel over your head and allow steam to rise onto face. Do not do if the skin is very sore as the steam may ‘burn’ already painful skin.
Stretch marks
Directions for use
Look for ointments that contain mandarin as well as neroli oil and rub into area.
Diarrhoea
Relieves spasms as in smooth muscle so is good for nervous diarrhoea.
Directions for use
Massage: Mix 20 ml of carrier oil (sweet almond, grapeseed) to 10 drops of pure essential oil and massage into abdominal area.
Further Information
Where grown: Neroli oil comes from the Seville or bitter orange tree, member of the Rutaceae family grown around the Mediterranean. Tunisia, Morocco, and Egypt are the main producers.
Parts used and method of extraction: The oil comes from the blossoms of the bitter orange tree, which are hand-picked between late April to early May, before the flowers open. The oil is extracted by steam distillation.
Colour and smell: Pale yellow with a sharp yet sweet floral scent.
Active ingredients: Linalool, linalyl acetate, limonene, nerol, nerolidol, genanol, indol, jasmone, anthranilic, enzoic, and phenylacetic esters.
Properties: Anti-depressant, aphrodisiac, antiseptic, antispasmodic, gentle sedative.
Mixes well with: Rose, jasmine.